“How Do I Learn More About this?”: Utilization and Trust of Psychedelic Information Sources Among People Naturalistically Using Psychedelics

Kruger, Daniel J.; Enghoff, Oskar; Herberholz, Moss; Barron, Julie; Boehnke, Kevin F.

doi:10.1080/02791072.2023.2201263

Cited by 6 publications

(4 citation statements)

References 32 publications

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“…Therefore, we agree with the idea that psilocybin mushrooms administration in a regulated scenario should be preceded by proper guidance (Kruger et al, 2023) and conducted in suitable settings. Strategies to achieve this goal may include ongoing education for healthcare professionals (Meyer et al, 2022), sharing information with both patients and people who use psilocybin mushrooms for spiritual purposes (Kruger et al, 2023), and exploring the motivations behind psychedelic use (Basedow & Kuitunen-Paul, 2022). Even with these measures in place, it's important to acknowledge that psilocybin, like any psychoactive substance, is not entirely risk-free.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 81%

“…Consequently, many turn to personal experimentation rather than professional guidance. A survey that examines information-seeking behavior of people using psychedelics shows that the most common source of participants' information was their own experimentation (Kruger et al, 2023). Understanding these factors influencing self-treatment is essential for contextualizing the adverse event profile of psilocybin mushrooms observed in our analysis.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Psilocybin mushrooms and public health in Brazil: a low-risk adverse event profile calls for evidence-based regulatory discussions

Nogueira,

García-Hernández,

Roberto

et al. 2024

Preprint

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Background: There is limited knowledge about the adverse event profile of psilocybin mushrooms in Brazil due to inconsistencies in drug policies and regulatory frameworks. This study investigates the potential for abuse and public health risks associated with these fungi. Methods: We performed a retrospective cross-sectional study following STROBE guidelines, utilizing data from the Sistema de Agravos de Notificacao (SINAN) on adverse events reported from 2007 to 2022. Participants were categorized into three groups: drug abuse, psilocybin mushrooms, and unknown mushrooms. Clinical outcomes assessed included non-hospitalization, hospitalization, and death. Associations between categorical variables were analyzed using the Chi-square test. Results: A total of 112,451 individuals sought medical attention for drug abuse-related adverse events during the study period. The majority were men (n = 79,514; 70.7%), whites (n = 37,565; 33.4%), and aged 26-35 (n = 29,163; 25.9%) (p < 0.001). Alcohol was the primary toxic agent (n = 71,824; 49.2%) (p < 0.001). Hospitalization and mortality rates in the drug abuse group were 19.5% (n = 21,923) and 1.8% (n = 2035), respectively. The psilocybin mushroom group reported 13 adverse events (0.02% of hospitalizations; n = 6; 46.2%). The unknown mushroom group had 51 adverse events (0.04% of hospitalizations; n = 12; 23.5%). No fatalities were reported in either the psilocybin or unknown mushroom groups. Most hospitalizations involved alcohol (45.0%), and deaths were mainly due to cocaine (33.3%). Conclusion: Our findings suggest that psilocybin mushrooms have a low-risk profile for adverse events, although underreporting may be a factor. With growing public interest in psilocybin mushrooms, this study highlights the need for evidence-based regulatory discussions to prevent arbitrary arrests and ensure safe access to psilocybin for clinical and ceremonial use.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 81%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Psilocybin mushrooms and public health in Brazil: a low-risk adverse event profile calls for evidence-based regulatory discussions

Nogueira,

García-Hernández,

Roberto

et al. 2024

Preprint

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“…While tapping into broader global and national cultural concepts, psychedelic worldviews also take on local subcultural attunement (Hartogsohn, 2022), resulting in grassroots harm reduction. In an online survey of psychedelic users in naturalistic settings, Kruger, Enghoff, Herberholz, Barron, and Boehnke (2023) found that many people sought information but mistrusted information from government agencies and pharmaceutical companies. Over half got information from internet websites and online discussion forums, books and peer-reviewed articles, and friends.…”

Section: Significance and Implications Medicalization And Social Effi...mentioning

confidence: 99%

Community-based psychedelic integration and social efficacy: An ethnographic study in the Southeastern United States

Gezon

2024

JPS

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Background and aimsThis qualitative ethnographic study of a psychedelic integration group in the Southeastern United States contributes to an understanding of the role of supportive communities in processing psychedelic experiences. This article proposes the concept of ‘social efficacy’ to capture the importance of social relationships to the efficacy of psychedelics. Social efficacy refers to a source of efficacy that includes not just the immediate social environment in which psychedelics are experienced and processed, but also the broad range of social relationships and political economic and historical contexts that frame their use.MethodsThis year-long ethnographic research project took place with a psychedelic integration group in an urban center in the Southeastern United States. It was based on observation, interviews, and a focus group.ResultsOverall, the participants in the integration group see the group as critical to their ability to effectively process their psychedelic experiences. The group is important as a supportive community of like-minded people that facilitates enduring cognitive and affective transformation.ConclusionsCommunity-based non-therapeutic integration groups can play a vital role in the positive integration of psychedelic experiences, improving mental health and quality of life for users. The important role of community-based groups has significance for both the legalization and the medicalization of psychedelics. It highlights the need for safe and legal spaces in which people can talk about their psychedelic experiences and for medical models of efficacy that include social, relational elements.

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“…As described previously, we developed this survey collaboratively with input from various stakeholders, including therapists, psychedelic advocacy groups, and academics experienced in survey design and psychedelic research (25). The current study reports on components of this survey that investigated psychedelic use patterns as well as interactions related to psychedelics with healthcare providers, including PCPs and PsyCPs.…”

Section: Survey Developmentmentioning

confidence: 99%

Slouching towards engagement: interactions between people using psychedelics naturalistically and their healthcare providers

Boehnke,

Cox,

Weston

et al. 2023

Front. Psychiatry

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IntroductionThere is substantial public interest in psychedelics as potential treatments for psychiatric conditions. However, most psychedelics are criminalized under federal law in the USA, so it is unclear whether use occurs with clinical support. Our objective was to assess whether naturalistic psychedelic use occurs with clinical support, interactions between those using psychedelics and healthcare providers (psychiatrist, therapist, or primary physicians), and use characteristics.MethodsWe conducted an online, anonymous, confidential, cross-sectional survey of adults reporting psychedelic use (N = 1221) through a psychedelics advocacy event and social media between 9/18/2022 and 11/5/2022. We assessed participant disclosure of psychedelic use with their psychiatric care provider (PsyCP) and/or primary care provider (PCP), desire for provider support, access to support, and rate of taking prescribed psychoactive medications alongside psychedelics.ResultsAmong participants with such care providers, 22% disclosed psychedelic use to their PCP vs. 58% to their PsyCP. Participants were less confident in PCP vs. PsyCP ability to integrate psychedelics into treatment. Common reasons for nondisclosure included stigma, inadequate provider knowledge, and legal concerns. 23% reported taking psychedelics on the same day as potentially interacting psychiatric medications (e.g., anxiolytics, antidepressants). Despite 81% of participants desiring therapist support during psychedelic experiences, only 15% had received such support.DiscussionOur results show that psychedelic use is generally disconnected from primary and psychiatric clinical care. This disconnection may result in safety issues, including inadequate screening for contraindicated conditions, lack of support during emergent adverse events, and drug interactions. Enhanced clinical education and orienting drug policy towards known harms and benefits of psychedelics is needed.

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“How Do I Learn More About this?”: Utilization and Trust of Psychedelic Information Sources Among People Naturalistically Using Psychedelics

Cited by 6 publications

References 32 publications

Psilocybin mushrooms and public health in Brazil: a low-risk adverse event profile calls for evidence-based regulatory discussions

Psilocybin mushrooms and public health in Brazil: a low-risk adverse event profile calls for evidence-based regulatory discussions

Community-based psychedelic integration and social efficacy: An ethnographic study in the Southeastern United States

Slouching towards engagement: interactions between people using psychedelics naturalistically and their healthcare providers

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